Following the arrest of a Bangladeshi national in connection with the stabbing attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora has urged the Maharashtra government to deport Bangladeshis living illegally in the state "as soon as possible" to make "Mumbai safe." Speaking to ANI, Deora said on Tuesday, "I have written a letter to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and urged that wherever any Bangladeshi is living illegally, should be deported as soon as possible. The incident that happened at Saif Ali Khan's house is very worrying." The audit of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants living across the state is needed to "make Mumbai more safe," he told ANI. Earlier, the Rajya Sabha MP also posted the letter on his social media account 'X', urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to conduct a thorough "audit" of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants across the state stating that Maharashtra's safety and security must come first. He also demanded strict action against agencies that fail to verify documents before giving jobs to individuals. I have written to Maharashtra CM @Dev_Fadnavis Ji, urging a thorough audit of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants across the state. I’ve also recommended strict action against staffing agencies that fail to verify documents before placing individuals in jobs. The recent tragedy… pic.twitter.com/9ICQqDBpSc — Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) January 21, 2025 "I have written to Maharashtra CM @Dev_Fadnavis Ji, urging a thorough audit of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants across the state. I've also recommended strict action against staffing agencies that fail to verify documents before placing individuals in jobs. The recent tragedy involving #SaifAliKhan highlights the urgent need to address this issue. #Maharashtra's safety & security must come first," Deora said on X. Saif suffered stab wounds to his thoracic spine when an intruder, later identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, entered his home with the alleged intent of theft last week. The actor was immediately taken to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital for treatment after sustaining injuries. Khan on Tuesday returned home after being discharged from the hospital. Accused Mohammed Shariful Islam Shahzad was apprehended at Hiranandani Estate in Thane on Saturday while attempting to flee to his native village. It was further disclosed that the accused is a native of the Jhalokati district in Bangladesh. The Bandra Holiday Court remanded the accused to five days of police custody on Sunday. Following the attack, security has been tightened at Khan's Bandra residence. (With inputs from ANI)
22 January,2025 11:14 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA fire broke out at the office of a car dealer in Mumbai's Kalina area on Wednesday morning, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). No casualty was reported. The blaze erupted at 7.44 am on the first-floor office of Navnit Motors, a BMW car dealer, located on CST road in the Kalina area, the civic body said. The fire was confined to the materials kept in the Kalina car dealer's office and thick smoke emanated from there, the BMC said. Seven fire brigade vehicles were rushed to the spot. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the fire was extinguished at 9.51 am. "There is no report of injury to anyone," the civic body said. The cause of the fire is not yet known. Fire breaks out in Mumbai building Fire broke out on the third floor of a four-storey building in south Mumbai on Saturday, the civic officials said. The fire broke out in a house in the Patel Mansion building on Topiwala Lane in Grant Road area around 11 am, the officials said. It was a Level 1 fire and was doused at 12.55 pm, the officials said, adding nobody was injured in the blaze. BEST bus catches fire at depot; none hurt A bus in the fleet of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport caught fire at a depot in the western suburbs on Friday, an official said. There is no report of injury to anyone in the blaze that occurred at the Oshiwara bus depot, the official said. He said a fire tender was pressed into service, and the fire was doused in a few minutes. A spokesperson from the transport authority said the fire was triggered due to overheating when the bus was undergoing maintenance. The vehicle was taken on a wet lease from a private operator. The BEST has a fleet of around 3000 buses, including over 400 electric buses that ferry more than 30 lakh passengers. With this fleet of mostly single-decker buses, the BEST provides public bus service to Mumbai and neighbouring Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mira-Bhayander cities. (With inputs from Agencies)
22 January,2025 10:44 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe expert committee of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) has suggested spraying water and planting grass at Shivaji Park to prevent dust pollution from the soil. The team also asked the BMC for a time extension to study the soil pattern of iconic ground. After receiving complaints from local residents, BMC’s G North ward decided to remove a nine-inch-thick layer of soil from the park. The BMC asked Prof. Virendra Sethi of IIT-B's Environmental Science and Engineering Department to conduct a study; recently, the experts submitted a report. The report states that spraying water twice a day, in the early morning and afternoon, would prevent fine soil particles from rising in the air. Also, developing greenery by planting grass on the ground would alleviate the dust problem, the report suggests. IIT-B report suggests that planting grass will alleviate the dust problem. File Pic/Ashish Raje Civic officials said that the planting of grass will be completed in the next six months in a phased manner. “We will start planting grass on patches and will cover the full ground step by step, while spraying water is an ongoing process,” a civic official added. Meanwhile, residents of Shivaji Park are not happy with the BMC’s decision. Prakash Belvade said that the civic body should consult the earth science expert of IIT-B. Earlier, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had asked the BMC to find remedies to the dust pollution issue in the area within 15 days, the deadline for which lapsed on Tuesday. “We are trying to meet MPCB Chairman Siddhesh Kadam regarding the issue. Sprinkling water is not a solution for dust mitigation. BMC used to sprinkle water in the past, but that has not given results,” Belwade added. Shivaji Park is spread over 28 acres and 70 per cent of the ground is covered with soil and a 30 per cent green cover. In 2021, the BMC unloaded around 250 truckloads of soil on the ground for a beautification project. “The dust issue has been on the rise since 2021,” a resident said, adding that the problem starts after the monsoon season, after 10 am, and persists through the day. 28 acreTotal area of Shivaji Park
22 January,2025 10:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Sameer SurveAn auto-rickshaw driver was injured after losing control and colliding with a container on Shilphata Road in Thane, according to the Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell. According to the Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell, the Thane accident occurred on Shilphata Road, opposite the Royal Hotel in Thane, at approximately 2:03 AM today. An Ashok Leyland Tusker Turbo container (MH 04 EL 8369) was parked on the roadside, heading from Mumbai to Panvel. An auto rickshaw (MH 43 CA 5867), driven by 32-year-old Ashok Kumar, a resident of Navi Mumbai, lost control and collided with the container from behind. The impact of the Thane accident trapped Kumar inside the rickshaw. Emergency services, including Daighar police, a private ambulance, fire brigade personnel, and an emergency tender vehicle, quickly arrived at the scene. Firefighters and police worked together to extricate the driver from the wreckage. Kumar was then transported to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment for his injuries. The accident caused a temporary traffic slowdown on the Mumbra to Panvel road for about 30 minutes. However, with the assistance of police personnel, the auto-rickshaw was cleared from the road, and traffic flow has since been restored. Further investigation into the accident is ongoing. Elderly woman dead, 6 injured as car rams into road divider on Samruddhi Expressway An elderly woman was killed and six others were injured after the car they were travelling in rammed into a road divider on the Samruddhi Expressway near Nagpur in the wee hours of Tuesday, police said. The inmates of the car were returning to Washim from Nagpur after attending a wedding ceremony, they said. "The car rammed into a road divider on the Samruddhi Expressway near Nagpur, leaving one woman dead and six others injured. The incident took place under Hingna police station's jurisdiction," an official said. The deceased was identified as Ashadevi Rameshchandra Lahoti (67), while the injured include driver Rohit Lahoti (36) and his wife Tilak (32), both residents of Washim; Roshan Lahoti (35), Vitthal Rathi (45) from Latur; and Dinesh Malani (38) with his wife Sunita from Akola. All are undergoing treatment at the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nagpur, he said. The driver lost control over the vehicle near the Vena River Bridge roundabout, he said. A case has been registered in this connection and investigation into the case is on, the police said. (With inputs from Agencies)
22 January,2025 10:30 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentOn Wednesday, Mumbai woke up to a blanket of haze, with the minimum temperature reaching 18.3 degrees Celsius. According to the latest Mumbai weather updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai is expected to experience a cloudy sky on Wednesday, January 22. Temperatures will range from a cool 20 degrees Celsius in the morning to a warm 32 degrees Celsius during the day. The relative humidity is 51 per cent. The sun rose at 07:15 AM and will set at 06:25 PM. According to the Mumbai weather updates of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai's Santacruz observatory in suburban Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 33.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 18.3 degrees Celsius. The weather department's data showed that the city observatory in Colaba recorded a maximum temperature of 31.9 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. The IMD’s latest Mumbai weather update forecasts a "partly cloudy sky" for the city and its suburbs over the next 24 hours. Mumbai weather updates: City's AQI in 'moderate' category On January 22, the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app reported in its latest Mumbai weather updates that the city’s air quality remained in the 'moderate' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 153 at 9:05 AM. As per the SAMEER app dashboard, many areas across Mumbai showed 'moderate' AQI. Bandra Kurla Complex recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 164. Chembur, Ghatkopar and Malad recorded 'moderate' air quality with an AQI of 130, 149 and 158, respectively. Meanwhile, Borivali recorded 'good' air quality, with an AQI of 91. Byculla and Deonar recorded 'poor' air quality, with an AQI of 214 and 276, respectively. According to data from the SAMEER app, Navi Mumbai recorded air quality in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 142, while Thane registered a 'moderate' AQI of 152. The air quality index from 0 to 100 is considered 'good', 100 to 200 'moderate', 200 to 300 'poor', 300 to 400 'very poor' and from 400 to 500 or above 'severe'. Meanwhile, as air pollution levels continue to rise in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revised guidelines issued last year for construction sites. The civic body will also form squads at the ward level to visit construction sites and act if guidelines are flouted. Sensor-based air pollution monitoring systems will be installed at all construction project work sites and immediate action to be taken if pollution levels are detected above the limit.
22 January,2025 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court on Tuesday said it would hear on January 27 the application filed by Abhishek Lodha-promoted Macrotech Developers Ltd seeking an injunction against his younger brother from using the trademark ‘Lodha’. Last week, the company filed a suit against Abhinandan Lodha’s real estate firm, House of Abhinandan Lodha, claiming that the name ‘Lodha’ was their trademark and no one else could use it. In an interim application, the company sought a perpetual injunction against the defendants from infringing its trademark “Lodha”. The application came up for hearing on Tuesday morning before a single bench of Justice Manish Pitale. The court, however, noted that it could not hear the plea, as the suit had sought damages of Rs 5000 crore. As per court assignment, any suit that sought damages of more than R100 crore would have to be heard by the single bench of Justice Arif Doctor. Macrotech Developers, in its application, claimed it was the flagship company of the Lodha Group, a leading real estate developer founded in the early 1980s, offering residential and commercial properties under the brand name Lodha. It further claimed that the plaintiff company was the proprietor of the trademark ‘Lodha’ and various other registered trademarks containing the name as the leading, essential and prominent feature. As per the application, until 2015, there was an internal agreement that all companies in the Lodha Group could use the trademark. However, in 2015, it was decided that Abhinandan Lodha would separate from the Lodha Group and start his own business. The terms of separation were also recorded by way of a Family Settlement Agreement in March 2017 and another agreement in 2023, wherein it was decided that the defendant’s venture would be called The House of Abhinandan Lodha. The company claimed it was not part of the 2023 agreement and was not bound by the terms. “The plaintiff company, who is the registered proprietors of the ‘Lodha’ trademarks, has neither in the past nor till date hereof granted any no-objection/permission to the defendants for the use of ‘House of Abhinandan Lodha’,” the application said. Abhishek, who helms the flagship company of the Group, Macrotech Developers, in the suit, claimed the “Lodha” brand name was built over the last four decades, and his firm had spent R1700 crore in brand building in a decade alone. The suit said the Lodha name commands a lot of goodwill, and Macrotech’s domestic property sales alone stand at R91,000 crore over the last decade. “The Lodha Group has spent considerable time, effort and money building its brand through advertisements and endorsements and is renowned across India and abroad,” it added. The Lodha brothers, sons of BJP leader and Maharashtra cabinet minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, had reached a settlement in 2015. House of Abhinandan Lodha is part of Lodha Ventures, established by Abhinandan after he quit Macrotech Developers (erstwhile Lodha Developers).
22 January,2025 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesSavio D’Souza, renowned Mumbai running coach, was diagnosed with colon cancer back in December 2022. Two years later, he finished the 21 km run at the Mumbai marathon on Sunday (January 19), with a very impressive timing of 2 hours and 28 minutes. If there was any need of validation that he is back to what he was, it all happened on the route from Mahim Reti Bunder when the start gun went off at 5 am, shredding the early morning silence to tatters and sending the half marathoners on their way, till when Savio soared across the finish line opposite Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Savio D’Souza (centre) training his students at Marine Drive The wiry 71-year-old said, “I am back to regular life now, to my cherished routine, running and coaching.” On Tuesday morning, he was leading runners of his Savio Stars club for their regular run from Nariman Point, opposite National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). Diagnosis The distance running coach and celebrated athlete’s life was upended with a cancer diagnosis. D'Souza said, “I had been feeling slightly unwell towards the end of 2022. I had a slight stomach ache, a temperature, and I had some loose motions. I was given antibiotics. The pain returned a month later. The tests then showed it was cancer.” Savio was told that it was colon cancer but had spread to his bladder and prostate. He recalled, “I was operated on and then had nine chemotherapy sessions, five radiation sessions, and then once again, three chemo sessions.” Why? Savio, a well-known state-level 5,000 and 10,000m runner who won the 1984, 1985, and 1986 Pune marathons, has a slew of running achievements to his credit, so many, in fact, that shelves in the trophy cabinet groan under the weight of all those prizes. He has been a fitness instructor at numerous city clubs, trained hordes of students in distance running, and started training Mumbaikars to run marathons in 2004. With a life steeped in fitness, Savio said, “I asked my doctors why this has happened to me. Why and how did I get cancer? There is no one answer.” Recovery Then, Savio said, “Like the marathon, which is a journey to a destination (the finish line at 42.2k), so was my cancer road and route. My fitness level and clean and healthy life definitely helped me through. I kept a positive mind throughout. I had my running students, who stood like pillars behind me, and my attitude reflected in what I told my family: “Do not get worried if I have to live with cancer. I have to accept it. I am going strictly by what the doctor tells me.” Savio D'Souza exudes good energy as he puts his students through the paces. Pics/Satej Shinde Through the months post treatment, Savio said, “I think it was my high pain threshold that helped too. I could withstand the treatment, and throughout, I did not dwell in a dark, depressing place. I decided I must enjoy my life. Slowly, I started walking too with my runners accompanying me, and we would talk on the way. My daily prayer was, I thank God, who gave me the courage to carry my cross. With that said, I have immense gratitude for my family, friends, and runners too.” Sunny Now declared cancer free, speedy, spirited Savio said, “We need not give up. Keep fighting. This does not refer to any medical event but simply any adversity in life. I used to look out of my medical facility window and see the sunshine streaming in. That sunshine bathed me throughout. I feel touched by those golden rays even now.” Inspiring Pooja Chaudhri, part of Savio Stars, who ran the half-marathon on Sunday, said, “As a student in Savio sir's running group, you would likely be guided not only by a coach with extensive experience and technical knowledge but by someone who has faced ultimate physical and emotional challenges and continues to thrive. One is inspired by someone who’s lived through and triumphed over incredible challenges.” Savio said, “While I have spoken about the mental aspect, I want to tell everybody to make fitness your mantra. It helps hugely. You do not have to be a runner, or even Savio D'Souza,” he laughed. “Simply be mobile, keep moving, and just walk if you can,” said Savio, who resides in South Mumbai but is originally from Goa—with an outlook just like India's favorite holiday destination—sunny.
22 January,2025 08:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Hemal AsharAn intercollegiate debate organised at M L Dahanukar College of Commerce in Vile Parle East on Tuesday saw participation from multiple colleges across the city. ‘Drustikon’ as the organisers named the competition, saw discussions on various topics related to current issues in society, including a debate on whether the government should introduce laws to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) to address ethical and security concerns, and about electric vehicles being a sustainable solution for the future. Gen Z delved into some of the most pressing issues facing society today. From environmental concerns to the ethics of AI, young debaters tackled diverse topics with a mix of passion and critical thinking. Air pollution: A divisive issue The debate on air pollution shed light on its multifaceted causes. Proponents of stringent measures highlighted the devastating effects of pollution. The team appearing for one side said, “Burning waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and health crises like cancer and heart disease.” They argued that electric vehicles (EVs) could serve as a sustainable alternative to reduce pollution. On the other hand, opponents pointed out: “Vehicular and industrial emissions contribute to 85 per cent of air pollution, according to WHO data.” They emphasised that unregulated garbage burning is a localised issue and advocated for recycling initiatives and public transport improvements instead. Regulating AI The rapid evolution of AI led to discussions on whether governments should step in with regulations. Supporters argued that regulations could address security concerns, reduce fraud, and enhance societal progress. “The government, if it has a machinery in place, can curb multiple issues like the creation of deep fakes and morphing images using AI,” the team said. However, critics contended that government intervention could act as a hindrance due to a lack of expertise and the constantly evolving nature of AI. They questioned “the accuracy of data provided by private AI companies” and raised concerns about the “government’s preparedness to handle such a dynamic sector”. Global collaboration Debaters also discussed whether international organisations should hold authority during global crises. Advocates stressed “the importance of unity cannot be denied during global crisis”. Citing examples like the Ukraine-Russia war and the COVID-19 pandemic, where global resources were crucial for solutions, they called for fairness and equality, regardless of a nation’s wealth. Conversely, opponents criticised the veto power wielded by major nations in organisations like the UN, arguing that “it undermines the sovereignty of smaller countries… each nation should retain the right to self-govern”. They also pointed to cases where international interference has been counterproductive. Lowering driving age On the contentious topic of reducing the driving age to 16, proponents highlighted, “There are benefits of increased independence and efficiency for students with busy schedules. Countries like the US, Australia, and Canada, have such reforms and which have been successful.” Opponents raised concerns about safety, saying, “The potential risks of inexperienced drivers and the possibility of increased addiction to vehicles in teenagers can prove to be counterproductive.” They suggested encouraging the use of electric vehicles instead of expanding eligibility. Freedom of speech Freedom of speech was hailed as the cornerstone of a functional society by many debaters, who argued that “open discussions foster diversity of ideas and reduce conflicts. A free voice builds free society. Diversity in ideas is created by free speech and discussion”. However, critics warned of the dangers arguing that “misinformation and hate speech can lead to many issues in society”, advocating for a “balance between freedom and responsibility to prevent societal harm which is much more important”. Term limits for politicians The discussion on term limits for politicians drew sharp contrasts between the need for change and the value of stability. Advocates for term limits argued that power, when concentrated for too long, could lead to corruption and complacency. They emphasised the “importance of giving opportunities to new leaders with fresh ideas and perspectives that could align better with the changing needs of the nation and the evolving economy”. Proponents also suggested making politicians’ assets public to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of power. They also argued that the rotation of leadership fosters innovation and prevents stagnation. “A mandate for change should be a part of governance.” Critics, however, highlighted the potential downsides of term limits. “The disruption of long-term policies and governance is a major issue we have witnessed in the past,” they said. They argued that trust in leaders who have consistently delivered results should outweigh the need for change. Frequent leadership changes might lead to instability, with policies being overturned by each new administration,” they said, stresseding, “The ideology of some leaders might resonate deeply with citizens, making their continued governance beneficial.” They questioned the logic of enforcing limits when voters still support a particular leader or party, arguing that continuity often promotes development and growth.
22 January,2025 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Prasun ChoudhariAfter a gap of over a week, the tiger that travelled from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal to Dharashiv in Solapur, covering a distance of over 500 kilometres, has made a fresh kill. The carcass of the cattle has been discovered by officials. Advanced technology, including thermal drones, regular drones, and camera traps, are being used to track and safely capture the tiger. Farmers alerted the forest department to an increase in cattle attacks over the past weeks. This prompted the installation of camera traps, which captured images of the male tiger. Officials noted that this is the first recorded sighting of a tiger in the Yedshi Ramalinga Wildlife Sanctuary in Osmanabad. Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Kushagra Pathak from the Solapur Forest Department said, “A team of 15 forest officials, including experts from NGO RESQ CT with specialised experience in such operations, is monitoring the tiger's movements using advanced technology such as drones. Thermal drones are part of the operation, and a machaan [raised platform] has been set up near the spot of the cattle kill.” The expert team, including a veterinarian prepared to tranquilise the tiger, will remain stationed on the machaan. Meanwhile, the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) Rapid Rescue Team (RRT), which initially assisted in the operation, has returned to focus on managing wildlife-related conflicts in the Central India region of Maharashtra. The monitoring of the tiger’s movements is being jointly handled by Kushagra Pathak (DCF, Solapur), B A Pol (DCF, Dharashiv), and their teams. The tiger, a 2.5-year-old male, dispersed from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal (southwest of Nagpur) and trekked about 500 kilometres to Solapur district. Plans are in place to capture it and release it into the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, located 300 kilometres from Mumbai and spread across the Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Ratnagiri districts. Researchers have identified the tiger as a cub of tigress T22 from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, born in 2022. Experts believe the young male tiger is roaming in search of a new territory, repeatedly moving between Solapur and Dharashiv districts.
22 January,2025 08:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavMonths after 47 Indians trapped in Chinese-run cyber scam centres in Laos were rescued and brought home, six more Mumbai-based individuals escaped similar horrific circumstances and have urged Indian authorities to help others still stranded in Laos, where they are being subjected to torturous exploitation, including slavery, sexual harassment, and other abuses. mid-day spoke to six individuals on Tuesday who returned to Mumbai after spending nearly two years in Laos. The victims claimed that a woman named Naziya approached them with promises of lucrative jobs in Thailand offering handsome salaries. “Naziya told us the job would be simple—a regular computer job,” recounted 24-year-old Salman Khan, a resident of Ghatkopar. “She arranged my passport and assured my family that I would earn at least Rs 50,000 a month. All I had to do was reach Bangkok, and the rest would be taken care of,” he said. Echoing Khan’s story, Ayesha Shaikh, the mother of one Shehenshah Shaikh—who is yet to return home—shared her ordeal. “My son went there with hopes of a good job to help our family survive. Naziya came to us and convinced us it would pay well. But three days after he arrived, he told me about the suffering he was going through.” The victims revealed that instead of legitimate computer jobs, they were forced to make fraudulent and scam calls to individuals. “We were given computers equipped with AI-enabled software. They provided us with a script, mostly in Hindi, which we had to follow during the calls. Our job was to deceive people into providing their bank details or transferring money to specific accounts. If we failed to meet targets, they locked us in chambers for days without food or water,” said one of the victims. Another victim added, “The system even allowed us to change our voices. For example, as a man, I could modulate my voice to sound like a woman to manipulate individuals into transferring money.” The victims disclosed that while some members of the syndicate were Indian, the leaders giving orders were Chinese nationals. “Naziya and my two supervisors, Imad Altaf Qazi and Fayyad Shaikh, were the ones we reported to,” said another victim. “Many women were locked in chambers and subjected to rape and harassment if they couldn’t meet their targets.” When asked about the number of Indians trapped in similar circumstances, a survivor estimated, “At least 200 to 300 Indians are stuck. The chambers and offices are heavily guarded by security personnel who beat anyone trying to escape.” An NCP leader in Mumbai said that he has approached several police stations, including Ghatkopar, Diva, Mankhurd, Mahim, and Mumbra. However, the police are yet to register an FIR. “We were told to submit written complaints, which we are in the process of doing,” said a victim. The victims and their families have also faced extortion. “Naziya called my family, demanding money. She threatened to have me killed if they didn’t pay,” said Vijay Kumar Chaurisya, a 38-year-old resident of Diva. “Since I couldn’t communicate with my family, they ended up paying over R12 lakh. They took loans for this and are now struggling to repay the amount,” he added. The survivors are now pleading with the authorities to act swiftly and rescue those still trapped in Laos while ensuring justice for the victims. In August last year, the Indian embassy in Laos successfully rescued 47 Indian citizens trapped in cyber scam centres located in the Bokeo province of the country.
22 January,2025 07:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya IyerA Court on Tuesday ordered that former RPF constable Chetan Singh be referred to the Thane mental hospital for medical examination after Akola prison authorities informed it that he was suffering from a mental disorder. The court said the accused would be lodged in Thane jail during his medical examination. Singh is accused of shooting dead his senior colleague Assistant Sub-Inspector Tika Ram Meena and three passengers on board the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express near Palghar railway station on July 31, 2023. He is currently lodged in Akola jail. The Akola prison authorities had informed the court that Singh was suffering from a mental disorder and needed to be shifted to a hospital in Nagpur for further treatment. The prosecution had submitted that it had no objection to Singh’s treatment and that he could be shifted to the Regional Mental Hospital in Thane for the convenience of the trial. Accepting the submission of authorities, Additional Sessions Judge N L More on Tuesday noted that the trial had already begun. “The jail authority finds it difficult to produce the accused for hearing from the Akola prison. Due to internet connectivity issues, the accused is not even produced through video conferencing,” the judge said. “Therefore, for the convenience of the jail authority and the accused, it is desirable that the accused be referred to a mental hospital in Thane for medical examination,” the judge said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 January,2025 07:45 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
